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''Triathlon is a part of me, I can't imagine my life without it''- Matevź Planko

''SPEEDY PLANKO''

I like to call myself ''hitri Planko'' (''speedy Planko''). I'm a 17 year old student from Kamnik, currently attending the pre-school education programme at the Rudolf Maister Grammar and Secondary School. Family plays an important role in my life and I hope that one day I can convey my knowledge and dedication to family values to younger generations while at the same time contributing to their education and development. I wish children and teenagers would see me as a role model and example of a successful athlete.

I would describe myself as a kind, down-to-earth young man with a positive attitude that is always willing to lend a helping hand. Like all teenagers, I like to spend time with my friends, watch a good movie or read a book. At the moment, I haven't got a lot of free time, as I devote most of it to sport.

Sport is simply something that is in my blood. I come from a very sports-oriented family. My parents raised me in the spirit of sportsmanship and enabled me to commit fully to triathlon. I began training triathlon when I was 6 years old. Since then, my days consist of a very strict routine that might be considered boring by the average teenager. Training, school, training. Although I never think my daily routine is boring, as I love my training and enjoy every minute of it.

My greatest motivation are goals. Reaching goals, to be exact. In the world of sports, well set and achieved goals (with a bit of luck) mean great results. I can't even describe how good it feels to cross the finish line and find your (excellent, of course) result on the screen. These are the moments that really make up for all of my efforts, persistence, alarm clocks in the middle of the night, litres of sweat…

Triathlon is a part of me, I can't imagine my life without it. That is why my hopes and plans for the future are far from modest. First, I wish to gather more experience in competitions – on national as well as on international level. In the next five years, I plan to reach the top ten in the Junior category and cross over from the Sprint to the Olympic category. My main, long-term goal is to rank among the top ten athletes in the world’s elite group, to complete at least 8 races in the Dextra category and finally, to qualify for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

To compete in the Olympic Games is the dream of every professional athlete, myself included. I wish to represent Slovenia and hope to reach excellent and meaningful results.

It may seem like a long time away, but I am aware I can only reach my goals with regular and quality trainings as well as motivation and support of the entire ''Speedy Planko'' team and my sponsors.

Since triathlon consists of three sports, I also like to compete in all three single disciplines.

I am extremely proud that I have been chosen this year as the ambassador of ''Wings for Life'', a global running event that is also supported by my sponsor GARMIN. By participating in the run, you support the non-profit organization Wings for Life which is involved in researching spinal cord injuries, so I am particularly fond to be a part of it. Last year, I was incredibly excited and honoured to take part since my participation can bring a better tomorrow to someone in need of our help.